Battle of Chapultepec

The Battle of Chapultepec (12-13 September 1847) was the decisive battle of the Mexican-American War, fought between the 9,000-strong besieging American army of Winfield Scott and the 880-strong Mexican fortress garrison of Nicolas Bravo. The goal of the battle was the capture of Chapultepec castle, which sat atop a 200-foot hill and was an important defensive structure in Mexico City. Following the Battle of Molino del Rey, Scott decided to go against the advice of his officers and assault the well-defended fortress rather than enter Mexico City through its southern gates, with Gideon Johnson Pillow and Joseph E. Johnston leading the assault on the fortress after an artillery barrage. The American voltiguers planted their flag on the parapet after the Mexicans fought to the death, capturing the fortress. Chapultepec's fall allowed for the Americans to enter and occupy Mexico City, a critical blow to the Mexican government during the war. In early 1848, after the Americans defeated Mexican guerrillas and engaged in a few more skirmishes with the Mexicans, the USA forced Mexico to sue for peace in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.